'Irom Sharmila was also under medical watch': Supreme Court asks Punjab govt to convince farmers' leader Dallewal for health check up

The bench said while no one was trying to uproot the farmers' protest, it only wanted to ensure Dallewal's safety, calling him a 'mass leader'.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Punjab government to convince 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, to undergo health examination.

A bench led by Justice Surya Kant also pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast at Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border.

The court cited example of Irom Sharmila, who also continued with her protest under medical supervision.

The bench, also comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, said while no one was trying to uproot the farmers' protest, it only wanted to ensure Dallewal's safety, calling him a "mass leader".

"Take the case of civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, she continued her protest for years under medical supervision. Similarly, Dallewal can also continue his protest under medical supervision," the bench said.

In a broadside on the Punjab government doctors statement on Dallewal's health being alright even without conducting basic medical tests, the bench said, "A over 70-year-old person on hunger strike for past 21 days and suffering from various ailments health is alright. How it can be? Have you conducted his blood tests, ECG test and required investigation?"

The bench went on, "Court will talk to him (Jagjit Singh Dallewal) once we satisfy ourselves that he is safe."

The farmer leader had reportedly conveyed through Punjab officials that he personally wanted to address the court. The top court asked Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh to persuade Dallewal to take medical treatment for a week at least, while others could continue with the protest.

Singh sought a day’s time to convince Dallewal and convey the court's sentiments for ensuring his well-being. The bench posted the matter on December 20. Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops.